Huangshan Luohan Peak

Huangshan Luohan Peak

Luohan Peak is located at the eastern end of Huangshan, adjacent to Yungu Temple and between Xianglu Peak and Xiandu Peak. It is one of the 36 smaller peaks, with an elevation of 1,157 meters. The peak is covered with uniquely shaped pines that are thick, tall, and ancient in appearance, resembling the figures of luohan (Buddhist arhats), hence its name. Nearby, there are attractions such as Xian Deng Cave, Chancellor’s Spring, and Hongquan Stream. Legend has it that after Monk Qi Yun built the “Dipper Bowl Zen Monastery,” he wanted to create eighteen luohan statues for the main hall, but the clay sculptors were troubled because they couldn’t find any reference images. However, when they woke up the next morning, they discovered that the shape of the mountain peak strikingly resembled a depiction of the Eighteen Luohan. So, they asked the sculptors to model the statues based on the peak’s form. The resulting figures included seated, standing, walking, lying, smiling, worried, angry, and hateful poses—each with distinct expressions and incredibly lifelike.

Legend

It is said that “what Qi Yun thought about during the day, he dreamed about at night.” One night, he suddenly dreamed that an immortal pointed out to him: “Qi Yun, why worry? Aren’t you and the mountain peak beside you the luohan of the Buddhist realm?” When he woke at dawn and looked at his reflection in the pond, he saw himself with a square face, large ears, thick eyebrows, big eyes, a bald head, and curly beard—strikingly similar to a “luohan.” Looking farther, he also noticed that the shape of a nearby mountain peak was identical to that of a luohan. Unfortunately, over time, these eighteen luohan statues did not survive. However, the name “Luohan Peak,” given by Qi Yun, has endured.

Reviews

A modern poet wrote: “Chancellor’s Spring runs deep with emerald waters; a peak lies across the drifting clouds. Ancient pines take the form of luohan, while wild cranes and immortal monkeys roam together.”

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